MOODS OF THE MOON notes for Facebook Group

• Here's an update on my involvements with the Lunar Moods. This Moon has been weird; or should I say 'wired'? First, my source got the date wrong; or did it? I was getting Selena vibes which led me to believe Full Moon was actually on Friday, like I thought. And I got Hecate vibes the day after, telling me to drink glass after glass of water, which is normal after Full Moon, when Hecate takes over to clean house. But Saturday was a heavy day, very much like Friday.
  At my house, where the Medicine Energies rule, things happen a bit differently than in a normal residence. After the lunar energies, the Medicine Energies are the next most available thought-form medium to culti

  vate. It is entirely up to you to build the Medicine Energies in your place, using the Vortexes, the energies of Nature in your yard and home, and the Power Objects of your practice, among other things.
  For me, with my embodiment of the spirits, there are events that often interfere with the simpatico vibes I'm trying to cultivate. When my spirits attack, it gives me such a shock that it comes out my rectum. So that happened the day before Full Moon, and I had to deal with the 'Tamas' (ayurvedic term) of their presence.
  Another tamas aspect is the smoke hanging in the valley for the past few weeks from the dozens of wildfires burning in the mountains and sage country around Yakima and Eastern Washington State.
  Many times the things that affect the Medicine are not apparent for some time after they occur, since they are at a very high or very low or very deep level. So I spend a lot of time sorting things out.
  The upshot is that for this moon cycle, my energies were burned out. The Despacho Ceremony I had been preparing was interrupted by the double date of the Full Moon, and the tamas energies began to weigh so heavily that many preparations failed to get done.
  Learning the Despacho is an excellent project for me at this time, when I'm due to turn 70 next month, am just getting back on my feet after the two decades of Initiation from my Allies, and fighting to regain mental clarity after the onset of senile symptoms. The art of Ceremony requires bringing together many elements from the three worlds, and provides a wonderful structure for organizing the energies.
  So I'll just keep bringing more and more elements into the mix, and be more prepared for the New Moon Despacho.
  I installed the Hecate Altar this afternoon, to focus the energies of the waning moon.
  From now on, there is a new set of tattwas, a new way of using the energy body awareness, so it's time to tune in to the new vibes.
  Be sure to post here with any thoughts, feelings, happenings or questions.
  Namaste
  Dagaji

  
  

A VISIT FROM THE "MAN IN THE MOON"

I woke up this morning with the intention to write about lunar observation as a "Not-Doing".  Not-Doings are a vital and enjoyable aspect of my tradition as a Shaman.

Any spiritual seeker is faced with the Four Natural Enemies:  Biology, Sociology, Psychology, and The  Unknowable.  The first three are the natural blockages we all face.  The challenge of being human, male or female; of survival, breeding and sustaining the race; the challenge of being a person in the society; the blessing and challenge of the psyche, which is the bridge to the spirit; and the unfailing assistance of the unknowable, which lures us beyond truth to the reality which defines us.  Not-Doings are the things which the Wise One in each of us invents to keep us from falling into the traps of the Normal.

For myself, I became a DSP-- Derelict Surrealist Poet.  I adopted the Japanese Zen symbol of the Enso, the calligraphy brush circle which more or less defines the spiritual quest-- the symbol of Spiritual Poverty.

The logo for my series of self-published poetry volumes

For most of my life I have avoided gainful employ.  I have devoted my time to the discovery of the transformational powers of the practice of Surrealism, and as many of the Yogic and Spiritual practices of the world as I could relate to.  Shamanism and Yoga, for me, bring the deepest perspective and the best access to Reality, inner and outer, that I could find.

The Surrealists added to the quest for Spiritual understanding when they realized the role of LANGUAGE in our perceptions of the world around us and within us.  They set out to destroy the blinders and bondage our inherited verbal practices imposed upon us.

DREAMING is an essential aspect of Surrealist practice.  For two decades I practiced the art of Dream Poetry, and then Crystal Poetry.  This practice led me directly to intimate contact with my Allies.  Eventually, my Allies had taken me beyond the barriers of the knowable world, into the Nagual, which is the world beyond Consciousness.  The Nagual is the world beyond the Void.  It is Nada.  Having reached the Nagual, one realizes there is actually no reason for existence.  Awareness has been transported beyond the worlds of the Gods, and of Creation in any of its aspects.  That should bring Freedom, but it doesn't, not really!  But it does turn this world into a sport....

So last night I was having interactions with a male figure, who seemed very familiar, but was no one I knew.  He looked like a young man I know, who is an Angel, of Aztec descent, who appeared in Yakima to bring the energies of the Xolotl, Lord of the Underworld, to bring to an end my battle to transform Jesus, one of my Allies.  But the man in my dreams was a blonde, with a shining white face.  I was unable to remember the nature of our conversations when I woke.

As I was cooking breakfast, the dogs were barking in a very annoying way.  I went out to investigate, and discovered they had spooked the new cat who has adopted my junkyard in the parking lot.  A new addition to my fluency in dog language!  Then it hit me.  The man in my dream was The Man In The Moon.

A few months ago, I had taken down my lunar altar, and put away my totems for Hecate, Selena and Diana.  With no moon altar, I was left to contemplate the nature of my relationship to the energies of the moon, and to the Goddesses.  I have had sex with Hecate.  She is my favorite, in a way.  She unfailingly helps me clean the apartment.  Selena is often left out at Full Moon, for a number of reasons.   And Diana has yet to make herself as indispensable as Hecate.

At a certain point, it came to my attention that I had long overlooked the fact that there was a Man in the Moon.  I was surprised and amused, but couldn't achieve any kind of attachment.

Once I decided to open up the Lunar Observation Events, he has apparently offered himself as an Ally. One of the major benefits of this method of observing the Moods of the Moon is that it puts you onto a timeline that is totally different from the Normal.  Having observed these moods for many years, I have developed a keen anticipation, a real desire, to experience the rewards of those moments of Awareness that this practice can bring.  To me it is a challenge and a sport.

I haven't figured out how to make the Event on Facebook into a page of its own, with members and a place for comments, but I'm working on it.  In the meantime, Yakistan residents are free to drop in any time.  Just email me for an address.  Internet participants are invited to contact me any way you can.  It will take me many moons to get this figured out.....
Namaste
Dagaji

LUNAR CYCLES OBSERVATION VIRTUAL EVENT

"MAYBONE MOON"

The first Full Moon after the Autumn Equinox is upon us.  Shamaland Yoga is inviting all to participate in a LUNAR CYCLES OBSERVATION EVENT.  This will be a 'virtual event', in which you can participate wherever you are.  Or you can show up at Shamaland, any time.  (No appointments, please)  We are observing the "Moods of the Moon".  While the actual time of the opposition of the moon to the sun will be Saturday, 9/29, at  8:19 pm PST,  the Mood of the moon showed itself yesterday, 9/25, in the morning.  Last night the Wolf Medicine came in strongly around 3 am.  This morning, the dogs were wild.  

We will practice observing the Tattwas, or the changes in the energies during the days surrounding the Full Moon (also at the New Moon).  This practice, from moon to moon, throughout the seasons and the years, builds a power of subtle observation that is essential for noticing and understanding the energies that affect a Shaman's world.

Notice changes in the weather that are not on the TV forecasts.  Note changes in mood, or the ease with which projects come to fruition.  

I have begun to train myself in the art of Ceremony, and will be performing Despacho Ceremony at the Full and New Moons.  These are not open to others at this time, but I will post some details as I feel they will be helpful.

I'll try to keep this blog current throughout the days of the Observation.

Join in any way you like!

Namaste

Dagaji

‘ENVIRONMENTAL’ AWARENESS AND THE LUNAR CYCLES

The Shaman is an integral aspect of the environment, and vice versa.  Once the Energy Field Awareness is opened and activated in the Shaman, the world around him becomes an extension of his sensory awareness.  Certain parts or aspects of the world are affected by the Shaman’s activities, for example.

The phases of the moon as it goes through its cycles carry with them a variety of energies which affect the earth in various ways.  Everyone is familiar with the high and low tides, for instance.  Changes in the weather occur in close harmony with the lunar cycles, but in a way which is rarely observed by weather forecasters.  The moon has moods.  Before and after the exact astronomical times of the Full and New Moons, the mood of the moon affects weather, crops, emotions, and all sorts of subtle phenomena.  During the Shaman’s years of training the Energy Field Awareness, to perceive and translate these moods, the Shaman’s body becomes very sensitive.  These moods of the moon carry with them the powers of the world of spirit. 

Sometimes in the Shaman’s work, it is his job to make changes in the world of spirit.  Ritual and ceremony are tools for making these changes.  By attuning to the moods of the lunar cycles, the Shaman learns that it is very convenient to use these cycles as means for organizing the energies of the Medicine Environment, to assure that they will follow a prescribed course.  So the Shaman ties his ceremony to the energies of the lunar cycles.

As I began to re-gather my energies after the departure of my Initiating Allies, or spirit guides, I realized that I needed to begin to practice the art of Ceremony.  There are changes I need to make in my life path, which involve organizing certain spiritual forces which have always been beyond my reach or powers.

Nearly a year ago, I began to participate in monthly Despacho Ceremonies hosted over the Internet by Karen Chrappa, a Shamanic Practitioner in Long Island, NY.  She learned her art from the noted teacher Alberto Villoldo, who teaches the practices of the Q’ero Indians of the Andes.  After a few months, I had observed major changes, and felt the power of participating in these ceremonies.  At a certain point, I was forced to drop out of this series, due to the overwhelming energies of the others she had gathered into the work.  But I had learned some of the basic principles.

So a couple of months ago, I began my own Despacho Ceremonies, and have been very pleased with the results.  This is a very powerful way to organize the energies of the spirit world and integrate them into one’s own life path.  I am still learning about the ways in which the power of these ceremonies affect me and the world around me.

Today is September 22, first day of autumn.  The New Moon was on the 15^th.  I had begun preparations for my Despacho just after the previous Full Moon (the Blue Moon at the end of August).  My intent was to complete the removal of my Allies from my life path, and to heal my soul from the destruction of the Initiation.  As the fifteenth approached, the energies of the Dark Moon had me drained and listless.  I knew I could not complete the ritual exactly at New Moon.  Fortunately, I had done a few ceremonies by that time, and realized that there is no need to be ‘exact’ in these matters.

So I let the energies of the moon carry me.  I did what I could during the very delicate times of the New Moon, and was aiming for three days later, the time of the first crescent.  Little by little, things began to come together, and the ceremony completed itself with ease on that day, just before evening.

The smoke from my small fire was extremely dense and choking at first, but eventually the flames cleared things up and the Despacho was burned perfectly.  I completed the clean-up, and as I went back inside the apartment, my gaze was taken to the window, where I could see perfectly through the branches of the trees, the bright crescent as it first appeared.  A fine omen!

But what was to be the effect of the ceremony?  If it worked, how would the departing spirits react?  They had torn my life to shreds, and I was not looking forward to retribution.

The next day, my email was hacked.  Someone sent a bogus advertisement to all my contacts.  I feared for the worst.  Computer problems are not at all what I needed.  But all went well, eventually.  My spirits are expert at screwing with my computer!

Today, the energies were clogged and blocked.  There were little nasties all through the environment.  But eventually things cleared up. 

This is a time of major changes in the environment, all over the planet.  Here in the Northwest, we are getting our share of the wildfires which have been occurring throughout the Western states.  For days now, the air has been thick with smoke.  This has had the effect of keeping me in a state of relative inactivity, and my mood has been erratic.  As the moon moved from New toward the First Quarter, my energies should have picked up, but they didn’t.  I felt in my energy body that I was suffering the changes of the effects brought on by the Despacho. 

At various moments, I would have a flash of clarity, or a moment of understanding.  My energy body was picking up on the changes inside me, and inside the world of spirit.  I could feel myself regaining a degree in internal integrity akin to how I felt about myself decades ago, when I was a ‘normal’ energy entity.  But there were times of incredible power that came from me, in ways that hadn’t happened before.  I felt I was at last gaining my energy identity as a Shaman.  I no longer felt compromised within by the energy signatures of my Spirit Allies, who had incarnated inside my body so many years ago.  The Medicine in my yard seemed to be responding now to my own energies, in ways they hadn’t before.

I am preparing a new Despacho for the Full Moon, in which I hope to gather even more of my energies into the new physical awareness that I can feel inside me.

USING THE LUNAR CYCLES TO EXPAND AWARENESS

[Here's an essay I'm working on.  The smoke from the wildfires in the Cascades is heavy in Yakima today, and I'm not functioning at 100%.  I post more later.]

Human awareness becomes atrophied in ways similar to the muscles.  Yogis know that as the muscles atrophy, beginning in the early twenties, the Mental Body loses its elasticity, and is gradually disengaged from the Physical Body, and hence from the Ethereal Bodies.  Asana and pranayama practices serve to maintain the connectivity between and among the energy bodies.

A Shaman works with these energies, as well as energies which extend throughout the universe.  As a Shaman works, the element of Time becomes more and more important.  There are various aspects of Time, which I’ve come to call the Tattwas.  I know there are other definitions of this word, but as I see it, the tattwas are similar to the ‘changes’ which are the basis of the texts of the I Ching.  A Shaman ‘knows’ the tattwas via the Energy Field Awareness, and through the intelligence of the Medicine Energies in his work space.

Often, a Shaman is working on things which might be called ‘ineffable’.  There is a certain part of his consciousness, or awareness, which must be trained to hold these projects apart from the activities of daily living, like a file on a computer.

In the beginning, it was my Allies which held these higher levels of awareness for me, as they initiated me into the awareness of the Shaman. 

Perhaps the most helpful thing for me, in learning this art, was the influence of the changes of the tattwas as the moon went through its cycles.  This awareness is held mostly in the physical body, if it is charged properly with the Mental Body and the Ethereal Bodies.  The Medicine Energies also hold this awareness.

There is a very satisfying feeling which comes from the physical understanding that the tattwa has changed during a day.  Some things must not be undertaken under certain circumstances.  The mental awareness which guides us during a normal daily experience reacts much too quickly, and most often with force; this can be disastrous when dealing with the forces of the higher consciousness.  During Shamanic treatments, the soul of the subject can be stretched out over many past lives.  Losing the connection with the tattwa can result in psychic pain and destruction.

Through the process of tuning in to the phases of the moon, the Shaman can learn to hold awareness open and active through a very subtle series of changes.

The moon goes from New to Full in two weeks.  Two weeks later, it’s New again.  These two weeks go by interminably slowly, until all of a sudden, they’re gone.  It takes many repetitions of this cycle before it begins to become a bodily awareness.  The Shaman pays very close attention to the awareness of the body.  It is easily influenced by the societal world.  The Shaman keeps his body more or less removed from society, in order to protect this bodily awareness.  Fortunately, techniques from yoga are very effective in smoothing out the body after social contact.